The Scientology Religion Blog

16TH ANNUAL CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY CHARITY CONCERT - RAISES £50,000 TO AID ROYAL NATIONAL LIFEBOAT INSTITUTION

2012-10-24T18:35:00.003-04:00

Sunday October 21st, an audience of over 1500, including mayors, dignitaries and other special guests, attended a musical spectacular hosted by the Church of Scientology at Saint Hill Manor. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution, a charitable institution founded in 1824 to save lives at sea, was the beneficiary of this 16th annual Gala Charity Concert staged in the Grand Marquee—one of the largest marquees in Europe.

Mistress of Ceremonies Marisol Nichols, a star from Fox Television's drama series "24", introduced an audience from around the world to a wide spectrum of music. They were treated to top class acts, from award-winning Gospel singer Jesse Stevenson and Italian Queen of Jazz Elena Roggero to rapper Chill E.B. Special guest Rebecca Grant, singer and actress known for playing Nurse Daisha Anderson in "Holby City", joined The Jive Acres—the UK's top jive band—for two of their high octane numbers.

Over the 16 years that the Saint Hill Gala Charity Concert has been taking place, numerous and varied charities have been supported—from the Sussex Air Ambulance and RSPCA, to the National Drug Prevention Alliance and the Bluebell Railway Trust. The concert follows the tradition initiated by L. Ron Hubbard in the 1960's when Saint Hill Manor was his home and he supported many of the local charities.

Speaking on behalf of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Mr. Peter Tarrant said he was overwhelmed with the cheque for £50,000, which he received on stage from Ms Marianne Rowell of the Church of Scientology. He said this will fund the Lifeboat Crew Room at the brand new Lifeboat Station in Cowes, Isle of Wight.

Mr Tarrant expressed his gratitude to the L. Ron Hubbard Foundation and the Church of Scientology and all who made the concert possible. He said, "This enormous contribution will mean so much to our life-saving activities. I also love the special connection with Master Mariner L. Ron Hubbard who supported the RNLI when he lived at Saint Hill Manor."

The Scientology religion was founded by author and philosopher L. Ron Hubbard. The first Scientology organization was formed in the United States in 1952 and the religion has expanded to more than 10,000 Organizations, Missions and affiliated groups, with millions of members in 167 countries.

^{Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe.~~L. Ron Hubbard}, founder of the Scientology religion

Church of Scientology Opens National Office in Washington, D.C., Landmark

2012-09-17T17:32:00.000-04:00

On Wednesday, September 12, national dignitaries joined more than a thousand Scientologists and guests to celebrate the grand opening of the Church of Scientology’s National Affairs Office in Washington, D.C.

Located in the historic Fraser Mansion at Dupont Circle, the new National Affairs Office stands as the central point from which the Church coordinates its many social and humanitarian initiatives on a national and international level.

The establishment of the National Affairs Office is necessitated by the Church of Scientology’s unprecedented worldwide growth and commensurate demand for Church-sponsored programs. In the past several years, dozens of new Ideal Churches of Scientology (Ideal Orgs) have opened in major cities across the world. In the United States, new Churches now stand in Washington, D.C., New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Seattle, Denver and Phoenix, to name but a few. While internationally, they also now stand in Rome, London, Madrid, Brussels, Berlin, Hamburg, Mexico City, Johannesburg, Melbourne, Moscow and Tel Aviv. Ideal Orgs are designed to both serve the needs of parishioners as well as the community at large, while the National Affairs Office serves to facilitate implementation of the Church-sponsored programs both nationally and internationally.

These programs include a worldwide human rights initiative; equally far-ranging drug education, prevention and rehabilitation programs; a wide-reaching criminal reform program; a global network of literacy and learning centers; a moral education movement restoring the brotherhood of Man; and the Scientology Volunteer Ministers, the world’s largest independent relief force providing emergency response at major disaster sites for more than a decade.

Underscoring the importance of the new National Affairs Office to the Church’s greater social and humanitarian mission, Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center and ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, led the dedication. In honoring the occasion, he said: “Here is an Office designed to give back to a United States government that steadfastly guaranteed our religious rights—the very freedom that allows us to do what we are doing today. And with that, we extend our reach by invoking what we hold to be the greatest of all rights, the one right which must be invoked if one is to fight for the freedom of others—the right to help. And yes, that’s what we pledge today with the inauguration of this new Church of Scientology National Affairs Office.”

Dignitaries joining in the opening ceremony included Members of U.S. Congress Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) and Danny Davis (D-IL); as well as Liz Gibson, Senior Program Manager, Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The Honorable Dan Burton spoke to the Church’s signal contributions in the protection of children from psychotropic drugging and preservation of the rights of families: “I applaud you for taking the time to pursue this issue, and for helping make the Child Safety and Medication Act the law of the land. Working together we have been part of a course of correction to safeguard America’s youth while promoting and protecting liberty.”

Acknowledging the Church for its abiding commitment to human rights, the Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee, Member of U.S. Congress, said: “I want to thank L. Ron Hubbard for recognizing that courage is not rewarded but it is valued. And to be able to have the wonderment of people coming together and ensuring that people come together for peace. That’s what I see in the Church, that you have come together for peace. I welcome and support that.”

The Honorable Danny Davis thanked the Church for its commitment to improving one of today’s most pressing social problems—criminal reform: “Since 2004, the Church has been part of the broad coalition that has tirelessly worked with us in Congress to get the Second Chance Act passed into law, which is a monumental first step in reforming our criminal justice system nationwide. I am extremely grateful for the work you do to help those individuals who are most in need.”

Ms. Liz Gibson, Senior Program Manager, Federal Emergency Management Agency, highlighted the effectiveness of Church volunteers in all forms of disaster response and community need: “You have consistently come to the aid of major and many minor disasters around the country. You arrive, help, then help some more and stay on after others have gone home. All our work from the policy level down to the local level depends on groups like the Churches of Scientology Disaster Response—these partnerships are and will be in the future the strength of our work here in this country.”

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The Church of Scientology National Affairs Office houses an array of facilities for meetings, conferences, seminars, workshops and events to promote collaboration on solutions to society’s greatest challenges. In particular, its Chestnut Hall is configured to host a wide range of functions, from human rights symposiums and drug education workshops to panel discussions, press conferences and awards ceremonies.

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The Church of Scientology acquired Fraser Mansion in 1994 to serve as home to the Church of Scientology of Washington, D.C., now located in expanded quarters on 16^th Street Northwest’s historic Church Row. The mansion, dating from 1890, is a nationally registered historic landmark. Under the Church’s custodianship, the combination Beaux-Arts, Renaissance and Romanesque building has been meticulously restored to its original glory. Fraser Mansion also stands just two blocks from the historic Founding Church of Scientology at 1812 19^th Street NW, established in 1955 by Founder L. Ron Hubbard.

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The dedication of the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office follows the opening of a series of Ideal Churches of Scientology (Ideal Orgs) in 2012, including the new Center of Scientology in Tel Aviv-Jaffa, August 21; the Churches of Scientology of Los Gatos, California, July 28; Buffalo, New York, June 30; Phoenix, Arizona, June 23; Denver, Colorado, June 16; Stevens Creek in San Jose, California, June 9; Orange County, California, June 2; Greater Cincinnati, February 25; Sacramento, California, January 28; and Hamburg, Germany, January 21.

For a complete list of new Churches of Scientology, visit Scientology.org.

In total, the Scientology religion today comprises more than 10,000 Churches, Missions and affiliated groups, with millions of members in 167 nations.

^{Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe.~~L. Ron Hubbard}, founder of the Scientology religion

Meet a Scientologist - Yulia Gould's Path to Freedom

2012-09-11T14:16:00.000-04:00

Yulia Gould spans the landscape of arts, professions and interests. A Clearwater, Florida-based graphic artist, professional interpreter, public relations officer and events coordinator, she is also a certified scuba diver who loves skiing, skydiving and traveling the world. And although raised in the Soviet Union where the only “religion” was atheism, she has been a Scientologist since she was 14.

“I have walked a long way from being born and raised an atheist to finding my spiritual side through Scientology,” she says. “Realizing that I am not just an ‘animal’ as I was taught in school gave me a different level of responsibility for my actions. It matters what we do with our lives. I want to make the world a better place through my art and work.”

From a background where freedom and basic human rights were not available, Gould doesn’t take these rights for granted. One of her passions is promoting religious and cultural diversity, a goal she pursues by volunteering in groups that promote religious tolerance. And she is particularly proud that her painting “The Awakening” is part of the collection of the founder of the “Pave the Way Foundation,” a nonsectarian public foundation that identifies and eliminates obstacles between faiths.

“As a professional and an artist I really appreciate freedom of speech and expression,” she says. “I am very gratified that I belong to a church that sponsors an international human rights campaign.”

Yulia became involved in Scientology in Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union.

“Both of my parents are MDs,” she says. “They knew that there was more to life than what is normally taught in school. They were searching for the answers. We saw a TV show featuring Dianetics and they became really interested, as it showed the way to help people alleviate psychosomatic illnesses where traditional medical approaches are not enough.”

Gould and her parents enrolled in a Dianetics seminar in Moscow.

“It answered all my question about human behavior—why people sometimes act in a way that seems to have no explanation. I realized here was something that could change my life and the lives of others for the better,” she says.

The entire family continued to study and practice Scientology and Dianetics and it made an enormous difference in Gould’s life.

“I used to be very shy. I was reluctant to speak up,” she says. “Now I really enjoy communication and working with people. Scientology has really helped me get my message across confidently and professionally, whether in interpreting, art or personal relationships. Through Scientology, life has become much easier to understand. If I have an issue or a problem in some area, I know that there is some aspect of Scientology technology that I can learn and use to make things better for myself and others.”

To meet Scientologists from all walks of life, view more than 200 “Meet a Scientologist” videos on www.Scientology.org.

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The popular “Meet a Scientologist” profiles on the Church of Scientology International Video Channel at Scientology.org now total more than 200 broadcast-quality documentary videos featuring Scientologists from diverse locations and walks of life. The personal stories are told by Scientologists who are educators, teenagers, skydivers, a golf instructor, a hip-hop dancer, IT manager, stunt pilot, mothers, fathers, dentists, photographers, actors, musicians, fashion designers, engineers, students, business owners and more.

A digital pioneer and leader in the online religious community, in April 2008 the Church of Scientology became the first major religion to launch its own official YouTube Video Channel, with videos now viewed more than 8.1 million times.

Scientology - How We Help

2012-08-18T13:28:00.000-04:00

The global devastation and human misery wrought by drug abuse, illiteracy and moral decay—to say nothing of natural and man-made disasters—is unmistakable. They threaten to rip the social fabric to shreds and in many parts of the world these societal ills have already caused irreparable damage.

What is conspicuously lacking in combating these virtually apocalyptic scenarios are effective solutions. To that end, in the course of his decades of research into the mind and spirit, L. Ron Hubbard developed methods by which to address the crises that threaten our world.

While to bring those solutions to bear, the Church sponsorship of permanent centers to act as “generation plants,” which thereby set in motion broad-scale movements in the name of morality, literacy, drug prevention and rehabilitation.

Further, and to realize Scientology’s greater humanitarian objective, the Church has made readily available, easily assimilated and rapidly distributable multimedia tools to raise awareness, educate and activate millions.
The result: the Church of Scientology’s revolutionary social betterment and humanitarian programs. They are utterly unique, indisputably cutting edge and most importantly—effective.

SCIENTOLOGY VOLUNTEER MINISTERS WELCOMED BY TRIBAL LEADERS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

2012-04-09T17:05:00.001-04:00

Paramount King Molefe of South Africa introduced Scientology Volunteer Ministers and their program to more than 100 tribal kings and chiefs on Mampuru Day, an annual celebration of freedom.

Paramount King Molefe, traditional king of the Batlokwa Nation, introduced the Scientology Volunteer Ministers program to scores of chiefs and kings and some 5,000 tribal members from across South Africa at this year’s Mampuru Day celebration in the village of Mamone, in Limpopo, the northernmost province of the country. Dubbed the country’s first freedom fighter by Nelson Mandela, King Mampuru refused to submit his people to virtual slavery in British and Boer mines and farms and was hanged by the colonial South African government in 1883.

In his speech to those gathered, Paramount King Molefe likened the legacy of King Mampuru to the opportunities now available through the Volunteer Ministers movement: a new route to freedom that can be traveled in today’s world—a route based on knowledge. He encouraged the traditional leaders to empower their people with the effective life skills provided through Volunteer Minister seminars and workshops.

King Molefe learned of the program while visiting the Church of Scientology of Johannesburg last year and arranged for himself, his staff and his people to be trained in the full array of Scientology Volunteer Minister technology including communication skills, conflict resolution, personal integrity, literacy and parenting.

Mampuru Day holds great significance to the people of this nation, as described by South Africa President Jacob Zuma at an earlier Mampuru Day celebration: “Our history of struggle is enriched by tales of heroic traditional leaders who refused to be cowed by colonial regimes. They fought with everything in their possession to protect their land and people from systematic repression spanning centuries, which stripped the indigenous people of our country of all human dignity, decency, and human rights.”

The South African Scientology Volunteer Ministers were invited to erect their yellow tent on the tribal lands of the Mampuru royalty in the village of Mamone where the annual celebration takes place. Among the honored guests were traditional African royalty and chiefs representing tribes from across southern Africa including the Ba-Pedi, Batlokwas, Xhosas, and Zulus, many of whom watched the proceedings from the Volunteer Ministers tent.

For more information on the Church of Scientology of Johannesburg visitwww.Scientology.org.za. To learn more about the Scientology Volunteer Ministers or to enroll in free online courses in this technology, visit www.VolunteerMinisters.org.

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The Scientology Volunteer Minister program was initiated by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard in 1976. There are now hundreds of thousands of people across 185 nations trained in the skills of a Volunteer Minister.

Honoring L. Ron Hubbard

2012-03-13T13:17:00.002-04:00

^{It is traditional in the Church of Scientology to celebrate Ron's birthday by doing all you can to advance yourself spiritually and disseminate Scientology to others, help in the community--all the things LRH was trying to accomplish to help people regain their native abilities, improve conditions in their lives and thrive.}

^{Here is one of my favorite articles, laying out his own viewpoint on what is important in life:}

The only tests of a life well lived are: Did he do what he intended? And were people glad he lived?

People have often desired me to write an autobiography and while I would be perfectly willing to do so had I the time, I consider such a work, as I do myself, quite unimportant.

I have led an adventurous life and it would possibly be entertaining to read, but I doubt such a work would shed any background light on my researches and would not clarify my intentions or why I developed Dianetics and Scientology.

My motives have not been fame. I tried to give Dianetics, the entire work, to the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association in 1949 and the AMA only said “Why should you?” and the APA said “If it is important we will hear of it.”

I tried to avoid, until July 1950, saying I had personally done the research but then owned to it when I saw that unowned, it could be lost in its original form.

My motives have not included amassing great wealth. The royalties of the first book, Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, were given to the first Foundation. So it is not wealth.

Power has not been my motive. I only held office in organizations to insist upon correct usage of the work, and this having been achieved sometime since, I resigned all directorships and retained only an honorary post.

Further, one cannot have more power than he himself already has as a being; so power by reason of position I consider pointless and a waste of time.

My motives are so hard to understand because they largely omit me from the equation. And self-centered men are not likely to understand such a thing since they know they would not forgo fame, wealth or power and so conceive that another would not.

What is Scientology’s System of Ethics?

2011-12-13T16:59:00.003-05:00

The Scientology system of ethics is based wholly on reason (Scientology.org).

L. Ron Hubbard defined ethics as “reason and the contemplation of optimum survival.” He has also pointed out: “Dishonest conduct is non-survival. Anything is unreasonable or evil which brings about the destruction of individuals, groups, or inhibits the future of the race.”

Ethics may be further defined as “the actions an individual takes on himself to ensure his continued survival across the dynamics.” It is a personal thing. When one is ethical, it is something one does oneself by choice.

The Scientology ethics system includes a body of technology called Conditions Formulas. L. Ron Hubbard discovered that there are various states of existence and that there are exact formulas connected with these states. A person can determine what condition any area of his life is in and apply a formula to immediately improve that condition. While very simple, such actions are quite powerful and have enabled millions of individuals to improve their lives in ways never thought possible.

Another part of Scientology’s ethics system is a type of auditing known as a Confessional. Man has long postulated a means by which he could put himself on the right path. As long ago as 500 b.c., religions recognized that confession frees a person spiritually from the burden of sin. In Scientology, it has been found that a Confessional assists the person who has transgressed against their own and their group’s moral code to unburden themselves and again feel good about themselves and be a contributing member of the group.

As L. Ron Hubbard has written:

“No man who is not himself honest can be free—he is his own trap. When his own deeds cannot be disclosed then he is a prisoner; he must withhold himself from his fellows and is a slave to his own conscience.”

These are but two of the tools from the wealth of Ethics Technology that exists in Scientology.

L. Ron Hubbard--Biography

2010-08-26T21:40:00.003-04:00

I love the video of L. Ron Hubbard's biography on the L. Ron Hubbard website.

It's incredible reading his books and listening to his lectures, and learning more about his life just adds to the experience.

^{The primary step in resolving the broad activities of man could be considered to be the resolving of the activities of the mind itself.— L. Ron Hubbard} (Founder of Scientology and Dianetics)-- Scientology 0-8

What is the Spirit?

2010-08-23T16:50:00.000-04:00

What is the Spirit?

The Church of Scientology Mission of San Francisco at 2501 Judah Streetsays:

"The only major religion to emerge in the 20th century. The Church of Scientology is an applied religious philosophy in that you are not told what to believe, but given tools that help you in every aspect of life.

Family, work, relationships, communication, no matter what you need help with, something can be done about it.

"The goal of Scientology is a world without war, without crime, where the able can prosper and honest people have rights. One 'belief' in Scientology is 'What is true is what you have observed yourself'.

"One other idea in Scientology is that you are an immortal spiritual being . Your capabilities are far in advance of what many would want you to believe.

There are millions of members and millions of success stories of how Scientology has helped people improve their lives.

"I have found 100% of the individuals I have talked to that insult Scientology have not read a single book on Scientology and very few of them even walked into a church or talked to a Scientologist without first insulting them.

The Scientology religion was founded by L. Ron Hubbard. The best way to learn about it is by reading one or more of L. Ron Hubbard's books.

"Anyway, go to scientology.org, or any Church of Scientology. Find out for yourself!"

L. Ron Hubbard - Artist

TipsForSuccess: TipsForSuccess: Do You Ever Avoid Work?

2010-08-23T14:44:00.000-04:00

TipsForSuccess: TipsForSuccess: Do You Ever Avoid Work?: "'The person who studiously avoids work usually works far longer and far harder than the man who pleasantly confronts it and does it.' -- L. Ron Hubbard from The Problems of Work"

The Problems of Work is now available as a book on film through Bridge Publications.

^{"Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe."} L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology Religion.

An Introduction to Scientology (DVD) - Dianetics & Scientology :: Bridge Publications, Inc.

2010-08-19T00:14:00.001-04:00

An Introduction to Scientology (DVD)

^{A few years ago, David Miscavige released the newly restored film--An Introduction to Scientology--a filmed interview of L. Ron Hubbard. I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to learn more about L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology or Dianetics.}

Self Analysis - Dianetics & Scientology :: Bridge Publications, Inc.

2010-08-19T00:06:00.000-04:00

Self Analysis

One of my all-time favorite books of L. Ron Hubbard is Self Analysis. First of all, it's got one of the best descriptions of
Dianetics and Scientology anywhere. Then it lets you analyze yourself against a chart of human evaluation and plot your own emotional tone level. After that, you do the self-processing section where you look over your life, especially the earliest moments you can find, and learn so much about yourself while answering the questions.

I remember what I used the book with my sister who isn't a Scientologist. After about an hour or looking for answers to these questions and telling me what she found she suddenly realized that this whole area of her life that she'd thought was a dark and unhappy period was actually full or wonderful experiences which she'd totally forgotten about. And she felt much more relaxed and buoyant at the end of it.

I used it with my mom too, and learned more about her in an hour than I'd known about her in 40 years. And she had a ball at the age of 78 remember things from when she was 3, 4 and 5 years old.

When he released the Basics Books and Lectures of L. Ron Hubbard, David Miscavige said that this is the book Ron referred to more often in his lectures and other research than any other book he'd written.

You can get the book online at the Bridge Publications website.

A good, stable adult with love and tolerance in his heart is about the best therapy a child can have.~~~L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion

Official Church of Scientology: L. Ron Hubbard, Video Biography, Dianetics & Religious Books

2010-08-17T13:13:00.000-04:00

Official Church of Scientology: L. Ron Hubbard

“For nearly a quarter of a century, I have been engaged in the investigation of the fundamentals of life, the material universe and human behavior. Such an adventure leads one down many highways, through many byroads, into many back alleys of uncertainty, through many strata of life…” - L. Ron Hubbard

L. Ron Hubbard directed the rise of Scientology Churches all over the world and thus, the birth of a worldwide religion. It is a practical religion. It is applicable to every aspect of human existence and it is religion for the here and now. But at its core and within every Church of Scientology lies this enduring invitation from its Founder: “We are extending to you the precious gift of freedom and immortality—factually, honestly.”

L. Ron Hubbard - Artist

Harlem Scientologists

2010-08-16T01:16:00.002-04:00

The Scientology site has a list of upcoming locations where new Ideal Scientology Churches will be opened in the near future.

The program was launched by Mr. David Miscavige in 2003, and the number of new orgs opening has greatly accelerated this year.

The list is:

UNITED STATES

Albuquerque, New Mexico
Atlanta, Georgia
Battle Creek, Michigan
Boston, Massachusetts
Chicago, Illinois
Cincinnati, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Detroit, Michigan
Harlem, New York
Inglewood, California
Kansas City, Missouri
New Haven, Connecticut
Orange County, California
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Portland, Oregon
Sacramento, California
San Diego, California
San Fernando Valley, California
St. Louis, Missouri
Twin Cities, Minnesota

CANADA

Toronto, Ontario
Montreal, Quebec

LATIN AMERICA

Bogotá, Colombia
Caracas, Venezuela
Valencia, Venezuela
Las Lomas, Mexico

EUROPE

Budapest, Hungary
Copenhagen, Denmark
Milan, Italy
Padova, Italy
Pordenone, Italy
Torino, Italy
Verona, Italy

UNITED KINGDOM

Birmingham
Manchester
Sunderland

MIDDLE EAST

Tel Aviv, Israel

AFRICA

Cape Town, South Africa
Durban, South Africa
Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Pretoria, South Africa
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Harare, Zimbabwe

AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND/ASIA

Auckland, New Zealand
Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Melbourne, Australia

A 21ST CENTURY RELIGION IN THE AGE OF MULTIMEDIA

2010-08-13T00:29:00.002-04:00

New video on Golden Era Productions shows what it's like at the international dissemination base of the Church of Scientology.

^{Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe.~~L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion}

Golden Era Production

2010-08-02T00:28:00.002-04:00

I love the new video on Golden Era Productions. Very inspirational. What an amazing place to work.

^{Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe.~~L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion}

David Miscavige at the Helm of the Scientology Religion

2010-07-31T12:46:00.002-04:00

There is a good description of what is an Ideal Scientology Church and why all Scientology Churches are striving to accomplish that status. This is in the new Scientology Newsroom.

To meet the skyrocketing demand for Dianetics and Scientology services and social betterment programs throughout the world, and utilizing the technological advances of the 21st century, Mr. Miscavige launched the Ideal Org (short for “organization”) strategy to transform all Scientology Churches into Ideal Churches and accomplish the goal L. Ron Hubbard set for Scientologists—to one day create Churches that were the physical embodiment of Scientology technology to help all beings attain spiritual freedom.

Getting his life back: Haiti quake survivor who got prosthetic leg in New Haven is following new career path

2010-06-28T12:56:00.004-04:00

By Amanda Pinto, Register Staff
apinto@newhavenregister.com

NEW HAVEN — Five months ago, Ralph Gedeon was lying trapped beneath a pile of rubble when the engineering college he attended in Port-au-Prince toppled in the 7.0 earthquake that hit the island nation.

His leg was crushed and several organs were failing when his father, after digging for a day and a half, rescued Gedeon from the tumbled remnants.

Miraculously, on Sunday, the earthquake survivor stood on two legs — one of them a prosthetic — and packed his bags as he prepared to leave the Sister Ann Virginie Grimes Rehabilitation Center on Chapel Street.

Gedeon’s progress is a miracle, and seeing him walk brings tears to the eyes of Dr. David Gibson, an orthopedic surgeon who teaches at the Yale School of Medicine and is affiliated with the Hospital of Saint Raphael.

“This is what you do it for,” he said. “It is really heartening to see him walk.”

But for Gedeon, who will now begin outpatient treatment in Rockland, N.Y., walking is only a part of his positive journey.

When he eventually returns to his home country, he will have a permanent prosthesis that will even allow him to play soccer, and he’ll have an engineering degree that will enable him to help others injured in the earthquake, said Ayal Lindeman, the emergency medical technician, nurse and Scientology volunteer minister who was on a mission in Haiti when he met Gedeon, 22.

Gedeon will also take classes at Rockland Community College, and will likely receive a scholarship from the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading to continue studies in engineering, Lindeman said. He will switch his concentration from electrical to mechanical engineering so he can focus on creating and improving orthotics and prosthetics to help Haiti’s thousands of amputees, Lindeman said.

Gedeon has come quite a long way for a man who contemplated accepting death rather than enduring an amputation that could have left him shunned in Haiti, where amputees are degraded, Lindeman said.

After Gedeon was rescued, his father, Raphael Gedeon, told Lindeman ‘I love my son, but I cannot condemn him to this life.’ At that moment, Lindeman thought of the motto on the back of his mission jacket, ‘Something can be done;’ he called his friend Gibson and promised Ralph Gedeon a leg and a life.

Now Gedeon has had nine surgeries, his care has been provided at no cost by St. Raphael’s and a prosthetic donated by a manufacturer. He has been tutored, free of charge, in English.

He used a cane to walk from the rehabilitation center Sunday, but routinely lifted it as he waved and joked with the small crowd of well-wishers who gathered to see him off.

Of his ability to walk, Gedeon smiles and simply says, “We’re progressing.” “(I thought I would walk) because Ayal promised me, and second, I’ve seen people walking (on prosthetics) in the movies,” he said.

He said his leg, which is still healing, is a bit uncomfortable, but he was full of smiles and hugs for the group—which included Marie and Marc Roseme, housekeepers in the facility who are originally from Haiti— who bid him an emotional goodbye.

His father, who arrived in the U.S. Friday, said through a translator Sunday that he was at a loss for words for what his son has accomplished, and for the generosity bestowed upon him.

“I don’t have an expression that would fit,” he said. “Just thank you, thank you, thank you.”

^{Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe.~~L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion}

Scientology Volunteer Minister “Gave Me My Life” Says Haitian Earthquake Survivor

2010-06-24T20:51:00.002-04:00

A good-looking young man in a t-shirt and sweat shorts walked down the street about half a mile from Yale University this weekend. Two things distinguished him from the thousands of other students living in this college town—the gentle Creole lilt to his voice and a prosthetic leg. Meet Ralph Mary Gedeon, 22, a Haitian engineering student who was buried alive when his school collapsed from the Haiti earthquake January 12, 2010.

It took more than one miracle to save Ralph Gedeon’s life that day. In fact it took several miracles that came in the persons of his father, Raphael Gedeon and a Scientology Volunteer Minister from Rockland County, New York.>>

What follows is an interesting story on how this Scientology program operated in Haiti and the difference it made to at least one man's life.

^{Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe.~~L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion}

What Time is It?

2010-06-21T13:01:00.003-04:00

Do you ever get confused about what time it is? Ever wish you had more time? Ever start the day with an idea of what you wanted to accomplish and find the day is over and you didn't get there?

There is a Scientology book called Self Analysis by L. Ron Hubbard that has really simple exercises you can do to improve your time sense.

Anybody want more time?

^{Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe.~~L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion}

New Scientology Churches Revive Historic Buildings

2010-06-16T13:50:00.000-04:00

_{Foyer inside the Church of Scientology on Victoria Street, London.}

When the new Church of Scientology of Pasadena opens its doors in the city’s historical core this summer, it will not only enable the Church to expand its service to the community, it will give back some of its cultural history. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the character of what was once a turn-of-the-century bicycle factory has been transformed into a unique blend of old and new, its four-story atrium and original façade still intact. With attention also given to 21st century detail, the restored building will also be LEED certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

The Church of Scientology International has been working for the past six years on a program to acquire new buildings for its regional Churches around the world. Launched in 2004 by Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige, the aim of the program is to establish each Church in premises ideally suited for its many and varied religious services as well as its community outreach activities. So far, 19 such ideal Churches have opened, eight of them in unique historic buildings, with more on the horizon.

_{The Brussels branch of the Churches of Scientology for the European Communities situation at Boulevard de Waterloo 100-103, is an early-20th-century structure fully renovated to serve the congregation and the community. It was dedicated 23 January 2010.}

“These Churches have already been in their cities for many years and their buildings need to be large enough to accommodate all their activities including a chapel, rooms for the study of our theology and introductory courses for new people and individual spiritual counseling rooms,” said Church of Scientology International spokesman, Tommy Davis.

Far from a Sunday-only meeting place, Churches of Scientology hum with activity seven days a week. In addition to common congregational services such as weddings, funerals, naming ceremonies for newborn children and Sunday service, parishioners can study days and evenings as well as receive the religion’s unique form of one-on-one religious counseling, participate in the Scientology Purification Program (a precise and closely supervised religious regimen that addresses barriers to spiritual gain) and take part in community betterment planning and activities, sponsored and initiated by the Church.

In May the Nashville, Tennessee Church of Scientology historic building took top honors in the city’s 35th Annual Preservation Awards for meeting all safety standards while preserving the beauty and grace of the 1898 building, which opened last year. Built just two years after the famous Grand Ole Opry in a similar style, its features include red brick walls, original doors and hardwood floors, 14-foot ceilings and an unusual three-floor atrium crowned with a glass cupola.

Last January, the Church opened the Belgium branch of the Churches of Scientology of Europe, an 88,000 square-foot early 20th century historic structure in the heart of Brussels. In October 2009, the Founding Church of Scientology in Washington, DC completed renovation of its seven-story, 49,000-square-foot historic building by architect Appleton P. Clark, Jr., half a mile from the White House. And another historic Church property fully restored in 2009 is the 1926 Mediterranean Revival-style Fort Harrison building in Clearwater, Florida.

_{The first floor hallway of the Brussels branch of the Churches of Scientology for Europe with study rooms, offices and the a Documentation Center which holds the written and recorded works of Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard.}

Other cities with historic buildings now home to Scientology Churches include: San Francisco, California; London, England; Tampa, Florida; and Buffalo, New York. The Church has also acquired historic buildings that are in pre-construction stages in Detroit, Michigan; Chicago, Illinois; Boston, Massachusetts; Portland, Oregon; Montreal, Canada; and Manchester, England.

“We take a lot of pride and care in adapting and rehabilitating our historic buildings,” said Davis. “The result is truly unique as these new Churches exemplify our religion and are dynamically practical and aesthetic, and enable us to practice the full range of Scientology services as laid out by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard.”

Scientology Russia Goodwill Tour Completes 19,000-Mile, Four-Year Trans-Siberian Journey

2010-04-30T19:49:00.001-04:00

Scientology Volunteer Ministers from Russia complete journey across 10 time zones helping thousands along the length of the Trans-Siberian Railway

A team of Scientology Volunteer Ministers from Russia have completed a 19,000-mile journey across 10 time zones—a journey that began in Moscow four years ago. Since August 2006 these volunteers have traveled the length of the Trans-Siberian Railway giving lectures, seminars and courses to some 8,000 individuals on communication skills, study technology, conflict resolution, salvaging marriages, raising happy children and 14 other subjects contained in the Scientology Handbook. In each location they trained Volunteer Ministers and established groups to continue to help their communities.

On August 1, 2006, a 20-member Scientology Volunteer Ministers team boarded the Trans-Siberian Railroad at the first station on the line—the Yaroslavsky station in Moscow—and began a trek across 5,800 miles and 10 time zones to the Pacific Ocean seaport of Vladivostok. In the summer months they set up their signature yellow tent—a 3,400-square-foot pavilion with lecture rooms, classrooms, and a display describing the Volunteer Ministers program. In winter months, when temperatures never rose above zero for months on end, they provided their services in rented halls.

Trans-Siberian Goodwill Tour leader Sergey Nikitin said, “We are here to provide effective help—that is our purpose. Our motto is ‘Something can be done about it,’ and that means not only in times of major disasters and emergencies but in everyday life.”

The Volunteer Ministers delivered lectures and seminars and provided classes and one-on-one help in Perm, Ekaterinburg, Omsk, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Zheleznogorsk, Ulan-Ude, Chita, Ussuriysk, Khabarovsk and Vladivostok, in hospitals, orphanages, government offices, fire station, invalid centers, veteran associations, businesses, clubs or women’s groups.

To ensure the courses and assistance would continue to be available with neighbor helping neighbor, in each city the Volunteer Ministers trained local residents as Volunteer Ministers and helped them establish groups to sustain the assistance after the tour moved on.

Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard created the Volunteer Minister program in answer to escalating crime and violence in the later 1960s and early 1970s, to provide practical tools for engendering understanding and compassion. The program has expanded to 203,000 Volunteer Ministers worldwide who have served at 185 disaster sites, including Ground Zero after 9/11, the Southeast Asia tsunami, Hurricane Katrina and Haiti.
For more information on the Scientology Volunteer Ministers, visit their website at www.volunteerministers.org.

KCAL 9---Inside the Church of Scientology

2010-04-27T22:29:00.001-04:00

KCAL 9 visits the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles’ newly redesigned 64,571-square-foot property at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and L. Ron Hubbard Way.

Sharon Tay of the KCAL news team introduces the piece, saying: “The Church of Scientology is opening up tonight. There’s a newly rebuilt Church center in Hollywood where Scientology was founded and KCAL’s Dave Malkoff was invited to look around and ask questions.”

To watch the story, click here.

Scientology Los Angeles--a whole new era began on Saturday April 24th

2010-04-26T13:42:00.005-04:00

Saturday was a 20 on a scale of 1 to 10. That was the grand opening of the newly renovated Church of Scientology of Los Angeles.

The event was spectacular. The speeches were so inspiring especially hearing David Miscavige describe that we are going to be opening new Ideal Scientology churches like this all the time, and I can believe it! Look how many we've opened just this year! Rome, Quebec, Brussels, Las Vegas and now Los Angeles!

The building is... well anything I would say to describe it would be less than what it is, and you have to go see it to appreciate it. And now is the best time to come and check it out since there are open houses and tours.

^{Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe.~~L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion}

Scientology-sponsored Youth Group Brings Truth about Drugs to Los Angeles Thai New Year Festival

2010-04-13T20:56:00.000-04:00

LOS ANGELES—The Los Angeles chapter of the Drug-Free Marshals, sponsored by the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles, joined the festivities of the Songkran Festival, the celebration of Thai New Year, getting kids to pledge to live drug-free lives.

Located just blocks from the heart of Thai Town, the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles joined this year’s Songkran Festival, the celebration of Thai New Year, by helping neighborhood children avoid the tragedy of drug abuse. Scientology volunteers distributed copies of The Truth About Drugs drug-education booklets and “swore in children” as Drug-Free Marshals, a program that encourages youth to pledge to live drug-free lives and help their friends and family do the same.

Thai New Year, celebrated each year in April, is a time of renewal, marked by lighthearted fun and enthusiasm. Several blocks of Hollywood Boulevard were closed to traffic and filled with hundreds of booths, offering a variety of Thai products including food and beverages, clothing and gifts. There were also booths from community programs including the Drug-Free Marshals.

“Every 12 seconds another school-age child experiments with illicit drugs for the first time,” said Noelle North, Outreach Program Coordinator for the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles. “Our aim with the Drug-Free Marshals is to reach children with the truth about drugs before they succumb to peer pressure or pro-drug false propaganda.”

The Drug-Free Marshals program was founded by the Church of Scientology International in Los Angeles 17 years ago. The non-denominational program has been adopted by individuals and organizations throughout the United States and in many other countries as well.

For more information on drug education and prevention programs of the Church of Scientology, visit www.scientology.org.